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Portland launches ‘Bucks for Buildings’ to benefit small businesses

Portland City Council will vote on a new energy rebate offering, Bucks for Buildings, designed to help Portland’s small businesses save energy and money.

Under the program, owners can apply to be considered for this limited-time rebate, pending Council consideration on Feb. 13, which will reduce the cost of making energy-efficiency improvements to their buildings by as much as 75 percent.

“Small businesses make up 92 percent of the businesses in Portland,” said Portland Mayor Charlie Hales. “Bucks for Buildings will help us build stronger, more resilient neighborhood businesses by lowering their operating costs.”

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability created the new program with funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Neighborhood program.

“Partners in the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program are leading by example, showing first hand how energy efficiency improvements can save money by saving energy,” said Kathleen Hogan, deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency at the U.S. Department of Energy. “The investments they’ve made through this program are helping to cut energy waste while saving American businesses millions in energy costs, creating jobs nationwide and helping to position theUnited Statesto lead in the global economy.”

Details of Rebate Opportunity

This rebate will cover up to 50 percent of the cost of eligible energy-efficiency improvements made to Portland buildings up to 50,000 square feet in total size.

Non-profit organizations will be eligible for a rebate of up to 75 percent of project costs.

Eligible improvements include insulation, heating and cooling equipment, lighting and controls, and food service equipment.

A fund of $300,000 will be available for these rebates, which will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.